Sigma DP series reinvented as DP1M and DP2M with 15MPx3 sensor from SD1

Sigma has totally reinvented its DP series of large sensor compacts with the DP1 Merrill and DP2 Merrill. The DP Merrill models are named after Dick Merrill, inventor of the Foveon sensor and include the most recent version of the technology - the 15x3MP APS-C sensor first seen in Sigma's SD1. Because the Merrill cameras feature full APS-C sensors, they also feature totally redesigned lenses, with the DP1M including a 19mm F2.8 lens to offer a 28mm equivalent field of view and the DP2M having a 30mm F2.8 lens to give a 45mm equivalent field-of-view.

Both camera's lenses (which may sound familiar in the light of the company's Digital Neo announcements) include Sigma's Fluorite-like 'FLD' glass elements. They also both include substantially redesigned bodies that incorporate high-resolution 920k dot LCDs. The controls have also been updated and the cameras look smarter as a result. Having been first-to-market with a large sensor, prime lens compact, it must have been hard for Sigma to watch the success of Fujifilm's X100. We haven't had a chance to see the Merrills in-person yet but we hold out hope that the high-res sensor and updates will make the DP series competitive again. There is also no detail on pricing yet.

Ronkonkoma, NY, Feb. 8, 2012 – Sigma Corporation of America (www.sigmaphoto.com), a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider for some of the world's most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, today announced the new Merrill series of digital cameras with the introduction of the DP1 Merrill and DP2 Merrill. The Merrill series is named in honor of Richard “Dick” Merrill, the co-creator of the Foveon X3 Direct Image Sensor technology that powers Sigma’s unique lineup of cameras.

These upgraded, high resolution, fixed lens compact digital cameras now incorporate the same APS-C sized 46-megapixel X3 image sensor found in the company’s flagship SD1 SLR, now also known as the Sigma SD1 Merrill. This name change not only pays homage to Merrill, but it also reflects new production efficiencies that will result in a substantial reduction in the camera’s market price starting next month.

Merrill (1949-2008) was a brilliant engineer, talented photographer and Foveon co-founder. He tapped into his passion for electronics to build an innovative pixel structure that uniquely demonstrated the ability to capture RGB information in each pixel location. This revolutionary discovery led the Foveon team to the development of the X3 Direct Image Sensor and, ultimately, to the creation of some of the most vibrantly colored and detailed imagery the photography industry has ever seen. Sigma acquired Foveon in late 2008.

“This revolutionary image capture system reflects both the artistic and technological sides of Merrill’s personality,” said Kazuto Yamaki, CEO of Sigma Corporation. “As an expression of Sigma’s passion for photography and in honor of Dick Merrill’s genius, we have named the latest generation of the Foveon X3 Direct Image Sensor the Foveon Merrill.”

The Sigma DP1 Merrill and DP2 Merrill each boast exclusively-designed, high-performance telecentric fixed lenses. The DP1 Merrill features a wide, 19mm F2.8 lens, which is the equivalent to a 28mm lens on a 35mm SLR camera. The DP2 Merrill, however, offers a 30mm F2.8 lens, which is the equivalent to a 45mm lens on a 35mm camera. Both cameras are compact and lightweight, and feature Sigma’s own “F” Low Dispersion (FLD) glass, which performs like fluorite glass and significantly improves lens performance, as well as Super Multi Layer Coating to reduce flare and ghosting. With the 46-megapixel, full-color Foveon X3 Direct Image Sensor, the new DP cameras capture all primary RGB colors at each pixel location with three layers, which results in incredibly detailed images with a three-dimensional feel.

The Sigma DP Merrill cameras also include the following features:

A dual, three-layer responsive ultimate (TRUE II) engine now incorporates two TRUE II processors toimprove the processing speed and overall quality of the final image. Sigma’s unique image-processing algorithm also provides high-resolution power and reproduces high-definition images with richly graduated tones that offer a three-dimensional feel.

RAW and JPEG format recording retains the full image detail of the utmost quality captured through the direct image sensor, as well as a JPEG recording format for convenience. The RAW data format provides pure data for high-resolution images, and uses lossless compression for more compact, yet uncompromised, data files. The RAW data format of the DP Merrill series keep brightness and color data in a 1:1 ratio without relying on interpolation. When the image is processed in Sigma Photo Pro, it will preserve the balance of the natural data for the best photos with the best image quality.

Manual focus is available for use when autofocus or focus-lock is not desired.

An advanced user interface iscomplete with acustom Quick Set (QS) menu and the metallic command dial to improve usability. The diaphragm, shutter speed and menu can be changed quickly using the command dial. The QS menu consists of the most commonly used functions and can be easily displayed by pressing the QS button, allowing photographers to change the menu content and the order depending on preferences.

A large, highly visible three-inch TFT color LCD monitor ensures great visibility even outdoors in the daytime. This approximately 920,000 pixel resolution LCD monitor benefits from a wide viewing angle, making it easy to capture details and check focusing and composition.

A hot shoe allows the use of the dedicated external flashgun EF-140 DG (optional) as well as Sigma electronic flashguns for SD series such as EF-610 DG Super (optional) and EF-610 DG ST (optional).

I'm hoping these two DP cameras are a fairly inexpensive way to get access to the outstanding IQ of the SD1. Just to see what these new Merrill cameras are potentially capable of I downloaded some SD1 Sample Images from Sigma's website and the clean, artifact free images are really superb.

This camera sounds great spec-wise, and I've always been very intrigued by the Foveon sensor. But I think, at least in part, the reason these cameras (their predecessors at least) haven't sold as well as the likes of the Fuji X100 is the styling - it's very stark, and there's no hand grip. A lot of people love the retro styling of the rangefinder-style cameras like the X100.

They do that in an effort to not mislead, but in actuality, people who use them see how fine the detail is in their photos, and they understand why Sigma does what they do. It is really no comparison to put the new 46/48 megapixel Foveon sensor up against a CFA sensor with 15 or 16 megapixels, because it just blows away the "normal" sensors (the CFA sensors), when comparing the 14.7 megapixel images from the new Sigma cameras with their amazing Foveon sensors against any of the latest 15 or 16 megapixel cameras. It would be interesting to see a comparison of Nikon D7000 images against SD1 Merrill photos shot with an identical lens (maybe the Sigma 70mm macro). Unfortunately it seems nobody has done this. I have compared Sony A77 photos against similar photos from the new Sigma SD1, and the Sony does pretty well, but not as good as the Sigma at low ISO settings from ISO 100 to ISO 800. I compared similar Nikon D800 shots, but with different lenses I could not tell which is better.

I'm very happy to hear about this update! Only a few comments and suggestion:

1. Make the electrical mechanics more reliable(My dp1 died after 2 years, the usual mechanical failure and it cost as much as buying a new camera to repair it!)

2. Some manual focus assist system(The same way sony NEX series has incorporated in their system, it would be awesome to have that on a sigma)

3. Make the lens brighter! (2.8? Come on sigma, that's so long ago, we want sweet bokeh go for a least 1.8-2.0)

If you're not going to make m 4/3 camera then at least give yourself some competing edge with very fast integrated lens!

I don't care about videos, this is a still camera so make it the best it can be. Learn from Apple. Good user friendly interface and hardware to software integration. We know you don't have the resource as other manufacturer but you have a great technology and the implementation/design is just as important.

Yes. According to http://www.dslrmagazine.com/digital/camaras-compactas-digitales/novedades-sigma-cp-2012.html the ISO Range of the Sigma DP1 and DP2 Merrill extends from ISO 100-6400. Unfortunately there is no ISO 50. Very unfortunate... since ISO 50 always gives me the BEST results when using the 'old' DP-series...

So photographers can see for themselves the quality of SD1 sensor from photos they have taken.The only way to do this is to make SD1 1.5x crop into m43. Then with already existing adapters photographers can use their legacy lenses.Please the camera must be easy to use as eg OLympus OMD EM5.

I bought a used DP1 on a lark and have been just amazed at how good the landscape shots are. Even tho they are only 4.6MP, they are as good as the 12MP ones on my EP-1. When I saw this announcement, a thought struck me: The SD-1 will always be eclipsed by FullFrame DSLRs and medium format, but the DPxM Sigmas will have no such cpmpetition. Nobody is likely to make a pocketable FullFrame sensor camera due to the size of a lens that delivers even light to the corners of the sensor and a pocketable medium format is obviously impossible. Therefore, the DPxM camers with the new 15MP foveon will have the best IQ of any of the large sensor compacts by a wide margin. Only the Fuji X-Pro 1 can come close. If Sigma put R&D priority into refining the DP series (interchangable lenses, faster shot to shot times and focusing, etc), they could dominate this segment of the camera market. I see a real opportunity for Sigma here.

Hey Mr Yamaki Jnr you doing fab already.Please make M43 interchangeable (evf, swivel screen, fine af) you already make two fine m43 lenses.It would make m43 IQ to a whole new level and people will love its IQ seeing a sensor showing the best of their favorite legacy lenses.

For sure I would love to use all my Oly 4/3 and, especially, M4/3 lenses on a DP body. However....the 4/3 system was the first digital system without 35mm film legacy lenses to accomodate. The 4/3 lenses were thus optimized for the area of the 4/3 sensor. They probably won't light the corners of the much larger Sigma sensor. By "won't light", I don't mean a darker image in the corners as one gets with some legacy film lenses. I mean no image at all in the corners. This problem won't apply to Sigma lenses that are designed for Canikon sensors and then remounted by Sigma to 4/3, and it may not apply to all Oly or PanaLeica lenses at all focal lengths, but it has to be considered and compensated for somehow before we get to use our Oly lenses to their fullest potential on a DP body.

Watch those gear changes! I'd go a bit further, because you will remember folding 6x9cm cameras with high quality lenses-pocketable: there are still a few around, but they have become jumbo-sized. I have an ancient Voigtlander Bessa, and it occurs to me that a full-frame sensor, or even a 6x9cm sensor could , if produced fit into a folding camera. With enough resolution, it can be argued that a single fixed lens is all that anyone needs, because resolution on a big enough sensor will mean that cropping rather than zooming will become the order of the day. The lens has to be extremely sharp into the corners, so they will find a means of bracing the bellows such that the optics are parallel to the sensor. Envisage a rising front machine in which distortions resulting from perspective are eradicated- very easy to do with a wide-angle lens that has little or no inherent distortion, shutter in lens. I am certain they will be produced.

I'm really happy to hear this news. I love my DP2, but the focal length is bit narrow. DP1 has wider angle, but the lens is slow. I prefer 35mm equiv focal length, but 28 is also OK to me. Now new DP got 28mm and faster lens, furthermore, new foveon which has incredible resolution.The only thing I'm concerning is the file size. The size of SPP file is 50M, you may need larger HDD to keep all the pictures.

Its only Sigma Technology because they bought it! All other manufacturers could have bought into the technology but they didn't. WHY NOT? Speculating, it could be, Pride, Cost, contracts that are in place, sharing of current Technology etc. I do know that Sigma bear the huge costs of going this path, whereas all other manufacturers benefit from sharing some of the burden of development of the currently used sensor technologies, This includes the software side of raw processing etc

Actually, lets all applaud a company that is willing to jump in to the fast flowing stream and swim against the current. If you really think about it, only a company like Sigma was probably willing to do it. If u have had any dealings with the large Japanese corporations that are the leaders in the Camera game, you may understand this. Remember Sigma still makes all of its lenses in Japan, Do Canon or Nikon? Sigma are small, and hence get used to the fovean chip living in Quirky camera's built by a small company with a minuscule budget compared to a N or C. Alternatively we can drown in what these forums seem to thrive on, I want, Why didn't they, It should have had, They are stupid etc, etc etc.

If Sigma wants to play in the high-end P&S segment, their cameras need to not look like bland generic boxes like the one above. They clearly haven't learned from the success of Fujifilm's X10 and X100.

I disagree Reg. I think the minimal, rectilinear, mostly black design is right in line with the others in this segment. My design criticism of this is that the lens being mounted on the left looks more like a Sony. The Sigma P&S's looked better in earlier versions when the lens was in the center. In general, while I'm drawn to the mildly retro/nostalgic designs, I'd rather see all new classics that speak to the different design potential due to different camera tech. Which means I had camera designs like that fuji x100. It's nothing but a copy of old styles. At least this sigma and the fuji's released since then, are styled in a Cartier-Bresson way while embracing some subtle modern twists. I guess my point is, how do you see this design as really any different from the s90-s95 or fuji x10, etc?

fully agree. sigma's aesthetics are fine or even great. the problem lies with their interface, usability, and hardware reliability/functionality other than the sensor and lens. such a pity because apparently they excel in two very important areas - sensor/lens but the usability is terrible.

By choosing the minimal, simple rectangular design, sigma got advantages in weight and size. I like my DP2 than Fuji X100, simply because it is smaller, lighter and cheaper. I love sigma. They makes us happy.

Well, I guess it just goes to show you that there are many different tastes when it comes to cameras. Personally, I like clearly marked mechanical knobs and dials, made of metal, and I prefer zooming by turning a mechanical lens ring (the Sigma may have this latter feature, I don't know). I want an all metal body and, ideally, a distinctive appearance. I don't consider these things "retro", although I realize they were common in the 1970s and 1980s. To me, they're just good design. To each their own, however.

With all due respect, this is pure Steve Jobs. The people who are willing to pay what these cameras will cost and deal with the inevitable quirks (problems) that come with Sigma cameras are looking for something more than stylishness. Heck, these cameras don't even have zoom lenses.

"reflects new production efficiencies... will result in a substantial reduction in the camera’s market price..." or better said "massive price reduction because SD1 doesn't sell as expected" means someone's woken up to get the Foveon investment back. Hope the DPs will have better IQ than the horrible SD1.

I'm very surprised, and very pleased, that Sigma is coming out with compact cameras that have their new large sensor so soon. I thought they moved more slowly than this. If it isn't too expensive, I'll get one!

Wow, I take my hat to you Sigma. Let's the battle begin! Predict that the super compact cameras (fixed lens) will have a big evolution during from now, at the end of many years of absence of products that could attract the attention of more advanced photographers. Good move and impact Sigma, lets see the IQ...

Well, if you want to buy a camcorder... Of course: filming in full HD would be nice. On the other hand: this is not a type of camera that suits the average customer. It's a typical camera, with a typical sensor. Built for the serious landscape / portrait photographer. If Sigma keeps improving the sensor in favour of image-quality, it's fine with me. I can buy a -say nikon p300- for filming HD.

I guess they MAY have been able to implement HD (or even Full HD) video of some sort. It, however, may have been of VERY bad quality: because of the slow reading speed of the sensor, they in no way could have used pixel binning, unlike, say, the Pana GH2. The results are known for lower-end Canon DSLR's: awful moire.

Good to see the DP1 Merril has F2.8, the previous model had F4, so I went for the DP2 instead.

Unfortunately still no EVF and I don't like the optical viewfinder as you then get the parallax effect. Solution is to buy an LCDVF from Kinotehnik, this is now possible because of the detailed 3 inch display.

I imagine these babies will help them recoupe the cost on the sensor. Look like nice basic cameras, but would it have killed them to make it interchangeable lens? Sigma could make a pretty sweet mirrorless camera.

I still wish someone other than Sigma had taken on Foveon sensors. Tremendous potential but probably not with Sigma behind it. I still use the DP1 and it doesn't need any improvments in sharpness, detail or lens quality. But green corners, magenta blotches, etc are a real drag. And no, I did not get a bad one.

...And you can use only Sigma lenses on these bodies, no matter how good these bodies are. To be honest, I have nothing against Sigma lenses as I use a lot of them on both Nikon and EOS cameras (and of some I can only dream), but would not like Sigma lenses as my only choice. Even if all are excellent.

It remains to be seen how compact this 'compact' camera is. The smaller the better, for my money. But isn't the whole purpose of having a compact camera compromised by designing it for interchangeable lenses, rather than a fixed zoom? Having to tote one or two extra lenses lessens the pocketability factor, no?

John D., I presume we are talking in this thread about Foveon sensors in Sigma cameras generally ("I still wish someone other than Sigma had taken on Foveon sensors."), no matter interchangeable lenses or not, and that's why my comment.

Oh my. I had a DP1 in the past and grew frustrated with the camera - very slow on almost everything shooting related (start-up, AF, write times etc)........ but the problem doesn't end there, try using their software to edit RAW files and you will be pulling your hair from frustration.

The image quality was great at base ISO though. Excellent in-fact albeit the magenta shift.

....... was going to try the upgraded versions but got lured by the m/43 and NEX format.

I have a DP1 and DP2. The DP2 is considerably faster than the DP1 but still not in the same league as contemporary compact cameras. But at least the DP2 enables you to shoot more fluidly. The speed has gone up for subsequent models like the DP1s and DP1x, as well.

Not necessarily, and the D800E still has one, but it has another filter to counteract its effects. Moire can be deadly, and getting rid of it is well worth the very slight loss in sharpness. I've looked at samples from each of the new Nikon bodies and see very little difference.

Depending on test results, I'd buy one for at least the price of a X100 or Ricoh GXR plus aps-c module. It is unreasonable to expect these cameras, coming from a much smaller company, to cost less than comparable models from other companies.

Oh,that would be nice around 700 to 800 but knowing Sigma, I feel it would start much higher than that. I feel it to be around $1000, and start to drop in price within the coming months to adjust with volume and demand.

"The DP1M will be available in March for around $2,299. Pricing and availabiltiy of the DP2M will be announced." - Adorama; http://www.adorama.com/alc/news/Sigma-announces-DP1M-and-DP2M-with-15MP-Foveon-sensors

Edit: Just realised that that's the same price as the revised price for the SD1 - I imagine someone at Adorama has buggered up here.

It's obvious they're using the 19/2.8 and 30/2.8 which they're also marketing for m43 and NEX.

Looking at the dimensions, it doesn't seem the lenses are very deeply integrated into the body... Seems they could have engineered some kind of lens mount so you could swap one for the other without increasing size that much. That might have made for a much more exciting product, rather than forcing foveon fans to pick one and only one focal length, or buy two (likely very expensive) cameras.

Or better yet, put a NEX mount on there. I'm sure a lot more people would try such a camera if they could add it to an existing system and feel like their lenses could be reused on future bodies...

This camera will not be bought by casual users. It also won't be recommended by review sited to casual users, and in the end - was not made for casual users.So, where is the viewfinder SIGMA?And what about persuading people a bit that your new great product won't fail doe to bad designing decision? I own carcass of DP1, which failed during a trip, due to _unscrewed nut_ _inside_ the lens. I would call that a bad omen for a 1000€ camera.What with Sigma Pro photo? That program is piece of junk, in which you can't even be sure when the colors are right, or sharpness turned off.

I see that in the case of the 19mm lens, the aperture has grown by 1 stop to f/2.8, but man, did they have to make the lens that much larger? Here's a razor thin 40mm f/2.8 lens: http://www.dpreview.com/products/pentax/lenses/pentax_xs_40_2

Even the 30mm lens is larger, and its aperture is the same as the old one.

but it seems very compact, more compact then the NEX7 or the Fuji X100/X10. This Sigma seems almost as compact as the Canon S100, eventhough I cant see any dimensions comparison. For me the last king of pocketsize cameras with a big sensor is the Olympus MjuII which was a fullframe filmcamera! The S100 has such a small sensor that I have never considered one, but users rave about it. Hopefully this Sigma is a home-run.

The S95/S100 is a point & shoot camera, albeit with a larger than average 1/1.7" sensor and f2 lens. It's a great camera for carrying around in your pocket, I love it, IMO the best P&S camera for its size (I preferred the Samsung EX1 but its considerably larger). I've taken great images with the Canon, although its zoom in low light leaves a lot to be desired! has some great features though.

You can't then compare it to the Sigma DP1/DP2, whose sensor is probably around the same size as a 4/3rds sensor, but being Fovean, the quality (I found) far superior. The Sigma DP1 I owned blew my Canon 450D images out the water! Thats not to say its a great camera ... its s*** at doing anything other than operating in decent light and on a tripod with nothing moving. For landscape and still life photography though, quality is awesome ... and all in such a small package. The price though ... wow ... might I suggest you eBay an older DP1 @ circa £150 & see for yourself.

For landscape, travel and documentary photography I will rely on my D700&D3. But for snapshots I am looking for something small with decent quality at all iso-levels, like the S100, but with bigger sensor for better DOF. I was hoping this Sigma was a tad smaller though.

But then again if this sensor (and AF!) is is any good compared to NEX5n, X100, X10 or the new Canon G1X or Panasonic GX1 then I would be very interested. These cameras are all a bit bigger than the S100 though..... No, I guess the S100 is still the champion of pocketsize cameras :)

But ACR does'nt work properly with Sigma RAW files...Only SPP should be used to process them as it gives the best results.PS should then be used to make any further tweaks you need on the resulting Tiffs or Jpegs.

@DaSigmaGuy pls read the OP again and you will discover your answer is somehow off... HowAboutRAW was completely aware that ACR does not process DPxM RAWs, but he was talking about the predecessor DPx...

Seriously, if your looking for the best compact camera camera currently available, get the Sony NEX-7...It actually has an interchangable lens mount so you wont be stuck with a single fixed FL slow prime. In lab tests its been proved that the NEX-7 has the same resolution as the sensor in the SD1 and the new DPM's, but it has MUCH better high ISO performance, its much faster to use, both from startup and with its amazing 10 fps. It also has a substantially bigger buffer than you would get in a DPM, its LCD screen has a much higher resolution than the screen in the DPM's and its also articulated....It also offers stunning full HD 1080P video, with stereo audio noless...Trust me, you will be lucky to get low-res 640x480 VGA video and mono audio with a DPM.The NEX-7 is currently less than a grand in the UK...I would expect either of the DPM's to cost at least that, but probably more...So what are you waiting for?...Get the NEX-7, now!

actually any cmos sensor can't read any light further than that... dunno if foveon is different in this regard.So if you take into consideration focal length too, f 2.8 is simply perfectly reasoneable...

I'll presume you've never owned a number of different camera's for different purposes, including a Sigma DP1 or DP2.

Should you have owned a DP1/DP2 and a NEX-5N like myself (granted not a 7 but similar), you'd know they are like chalk and cheese and aimed for entirely different markets. The images produced on my DP2 (IMO) blow those produced by my NEX out of the water (theres just something about that Fovean sensor!) despite the fact its a pig to use along with all it's other bad points.

Also, not everyone needs fast interchangeable lenses (at exorbitant prices Sony!) ... and its not always about lens speed, its also about quality and the ability of the fixed lens and sensor to work together (as the Sigma's do well).

I'm excited about this camera and its good to see Sigma are finally improving its spec to make it a contender in todays market. It'll never replace anything like a NEX (and it'll still cost a bomb), but people will buy it!

In case you didn't realise, the quality and popularity of the NEX (amongst its other DSLR products) DOES make Sony a camera specialist ... and being the best at walkmans and TV's isn't a bad thing is it (despite the fact I think Panasonic make better TV's ... and hey, don't they make camera's too!)

Glad you'd never buy a slower than f2.8 lens, good for you, but some people would, some people don't need a faster lens and some people are good enough to take a decent picture without anything faster. Each to their own I guess, but to imply its not worthwhile buying anything slower than f2.8 is (IMO) purely camera snobbery and a purely proof (again IMO) that you don't have the skills to shoot with a variety of equipment.

Your 135mm lens might be faster, but speed doth not make a quality image (especially if you've got your f1.2 135mm (or whatever) stuck on a dog of a body and operated by nonce!

I have evaluated the NEX-7, and it has a serious (software) drawback: the maximum range for bracketing is a measly 0.7EV. So for any HDR photos (which I like to do), you are limited to the built-in jpg HDR which is pitiful.

f2.8 has'nt been considered fast since the fifties!And for HowAboutRaw...Neither of the new DPM's should have had a fixed lens at all. EVIL (Electronic Viewfinder/Interchangable Lens) cameras are now where its at and interchangable lens mounts have become a standard design feature of virtually all new compact cameras...If the DPM's had an interchangable lens mount they would have been worth paying a lot more for than they are now because it would open up the use of rmuch faster non-Sigma lenses...Of course, the reason they dont have an interchangable mount is for that exact same reason...Users would no longer have to purchase lenses from Sigma, so just like Sigma, they prefer to trap you into using Sigma glass only.

As "DaSigmaGuy", you should know that this is a niche product for people who appreciate primes. Let the others fool around with the not-compact-and-not-DSLR EVILs, they've got that covered. Sigma, Ricoh, and Fuji are the only ones who get this market.

'I liked my DP1 but 2.8 for a prime is not a fast lens anymore in 2012'

For the market this camera is aimed at (the one previous DP1/DP2 users used the camera for), why would you need anything faster than f2.8?

If you need faster and don't mind sacrificing that Fovean Sensor quality then treat yourself to a DSLR, a 4/3rds or a NEX (good luck finding a cheap fast lens there!) ... but as a previous user, you should know theres nothing out there that can compete with this (fovean sensor in a pocket sized body!)

@howaboutraw: yes for sure why not its in the range of other big sensor compacts, you think anyone would buy a camera with a built in f2.8 lens? if it would be ff its allready pretty slow, but for apsc? whats that lens spec then? dof like f/5.6 and speed like f/4 ?^^

that's pretty quick for a wide angle lens. I just wished the DP2 had a faster lens even if it sacrifices IQ like distortion and CA so that it can be more useful indoors or at night.yet, I think, the "VPS" modes will help alleviate that.

@DaSigmaGuy This is a camera for people who appreciate IQ in their shots, not for people who are test shooting. Faster lenses need often trade off IQ, and price and weight increases. Why do that if you stop down anyway? Pls have a look at Leica M lenses and you will easily find out that a DPx fits several times into with a fixed lens attached. Heck, similar to Sigma DSLR lenses, the DPx lenses, especially this of the DP1 are better, and cheaper with means the cam comes for free!

I would pay 1000$ for a 1.8 lens on that baby. The sensor is incredible and just needs a bright lens to go with it under low light conditions. Who cares about interchangeable lens if you've got a great product.

Now this is cool stuff. While Nikon grab all the headlines with there latest tanks and Fuji and Olympus slog it out over the Retro Chic market, these Sigma's might well go unnoticed yet again. Which is a shame.

I know when I'm not shooting professionally, the last thing I want to carry is an DSLR kit.

At the same time my Ricoh GR3 is a great pocket camera, it doesn't quite deliver the IQ I'm used to so I may well take a closer look at one of the new Sigma's.

As an owner of a few cameras, I think that the Ricoh GXR with 28mm module might be a good alternative to the GRD III for you. You get all the Ricoh build quality and ergonomics, and much better image quality. As good as current aps-c DSLR's, actually. The new Sigmas will be considerably larger that the GXR due to the protruding lens, so they are not really pocket cameras.

I have the GRD III, GXR and two DP cameras, so I have some basis for comparison. Having said that I am keenly interested in at least one of the new Sigmas, as I love the image quality. I just won't think of it as a pocket camera.